John Oliver addressed the British monarchy on Sunday night and, more specifically, why it even exists now.
And he wasn’t afraid to get personal, referring to King Charles as “a man whose face answers the question: What if two cousins had a child?”
Oliver used the start of Charles’ reign as an opportunity to reassess the entire royal family, which earns big money – including a sovereign grant of $100 million paid by taxpayers each year – while ordinary Britons struggle with rising prices.
“The wealth of the royal family — as opposed to its gene pool — is enormous,” Oliver said, calling them “a multi-million dollar family that is exempt from paying most taxes.”
During a candid segment that lasted nearly half an hour, Oliver explained the family’s history, the sordid origins of the family’s “massive” wealth, and how little they’ve done to atone for that past.
“They continued to work hard to be seen as a mere symbol, never taking responsibility for what that symbol excused,” he said. “All while ignoring calls for real apologies and reparations for those who have suffered enormously as a result of what was done in their name.”
Oliver noted that most Britons were fine with keeping the royal family, but said those who support them should also be aware of the story.
“You don’t have to personally hate the royal family,” Oliver said near the end, but then suggested, “I mean, Google ‘Prince Philip racism’ or ‘Prince Andrew everything’ and see where you get.”
Watch the full segment from HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” below:
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